Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Since its debut in 2005, Cinemalaya has attained an esteemed status as the Philippines’ leading independent film festival.
The event aims to encourage the creation of fresh cinematic works by local filmmakers — works that boldly articulate and embody the Filipino experience.
Annually, the festival selects 10 finalists from a total of 150 entries. The final candidates will go on to compete in the Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival for a chance to win the coveted Balanghai award.
The Cinemalaya film festival will be held on August 7 to 15 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and other festival venues.
Unlike its tradition over the past years, the 2015 Cinemalaya festival will only be held in the short film category. Chris B. Millado, CCP vice president and 2015 Cinemalaya Festival director, announced that the competition process for the full-length feature category is still ongoing, hence its absence in this year’s competition.
The full-length feature category will resume in 2016.
This year’s finalists for the short film category are:
“Apasol” by Ryan Joseph Murcia
“Gatilyo ng Baril” by Glenmark Doromal
“Kyel” by Arvin Belarmino
“Lisyun Qng Geografia” by Petersen Vargas
“Mater” by Annemikami Pablo
“Nenok” by Rommel Tolentino
“Papetir” by Darwin Novicio
“Pusong Bato” by Martika Ramirez Escobar
“Sanctissima” by Kenneth Dagatan
“Wawa” by Angelie Mae Macalanda
